Translation guide
The English word 'cherishing' refers to holding something dear, treasuring it, and treating it with loving care. In Japanese, this concept is expressed through various verbs and phrases that emphasize emotional attachment, careful treatment, and deep appreciation. The most common and natural ways to express this idea depend on what is being cherished—people, memories, objects, or abstract values.
Expressing that you deeply value and care for someone, such as a family member, friend, or partner.
The most common and versatile way to say 'cherish' for people, relationships, and things. It means to treat something as important and handle it with care.
家族を大切にしています。
I cherish my family.
I want to cherish the time with my friends.
Conveys a deep, tender affection, often with a sense of preciousness. Slightly more emotional and literary than 大切にする.
彼女は子供を愛おしむように抱きしめた。
She hugged the child as if cherishing them.
Implies nurturing affection and compassion, often used for children, family, or those in need of care. Has a gentle, benevolent nuance.
祖母は孫を慈しんで育てた。
The grandmother cherished and raised her grandchild with affection.
Expressing that you hold a memory, moment, or experience dear in your heart.
Literally 'to engrave on one's heart', meaning to cherish a memory deeply and never forget it.
あの日の思い出を心に刻んでいます。
I cherish the memories of that day.
To keep something cherished secretly in one's heart, often a feeling or memory not openly expressed.
彼への想いを胸に秘めている。
I cherish my feelings for him in my heart.
Also works for memories and experiences, though it's more general.
この経験を大切にします。
I will cherish this experience.
Expressing that you treat an item with great care because it is valuable or sentimentally important.
The standard way to say you cherish an object by handling it carefully and keeping it in good condition.
祖母からもらった指輪を大切にしています。
I cherish the ring my grandmother gave me.
Very similar to 大切にする, but slightly more focused on careful handling and not breaking or losing something.
この本は大事にしているので、貸せません。
I cherish this book, so I can't lend it.
Means to use something habitually and with affection, like a favorite pen or bag. Implies cherishing through regular use.
この万年筆を10年愛用しています。
I've cherished and used this fountain pen for 10 years.
Expressing that you hold principles, freedom, peace, or other intangible concepts dear.
Works for abstract values as well. It means to treat something as important and protect it.
自由を大切にしています。
I cherish freedom.
To respect, value, or place importance on something like tradition, harmony, or rules. More formal than 大切にする.
日本の文化では調和を重んじます。
In Japanese culture, harmony is cherished.
Both mean 'to cherish' or 'to take good care of', and they are often interchangeable. 大切にする has a slightly more emotional nuance (precious to the heart), while 大事にする can lean toward careful handling (important not to damage). In many contexts, either is fine.
健康を大切にしてください。
Please cherish your health.
健康を大事にしてください。
Please take good care of your health.
There is no single Japanese verb that covers all uses of 'cherish'. Using a dictionary equivalent like 珍重する (to prize) or 愛でる (to admire) can sound unnatural or overly literary. Stick to the options above based on context.